This C-rank mission was accepted independently by Yuji's three-man squad.
It had nothing to do with Sasori.
Sasori had taken this mission on his own, and it just so happened that they were assigned together.
Because it was a special period and manpower was tight, the Village was focusing on training newcomers.
No one had expected Amegakure to suddenly launch this war against the Land of Wind.
"You two, return to the Village with us."
Beside them, the Third Kazekage's guard spoke.
Whether it was Sasori or Yuji, both were the future hopes of the Village... it would be bad if they were to perish prematurely outside.
"My mission isn't finished yet."
Yuji said.
"Special circumstances call for special treatment... The Village will evaluate your performance based on the mission records and add this military merit to your future promotion resume." The guard smiled and spoke specifically to Yuji, "It will also help with your future Chunin Exam."
That's right, the eight-year-old Sasori was already a Chunin.
Yuji was still a Genin.
Yuji had graduated from the Ninja Academy just over six months ago, whereas Sasori had graduated even earlier.
He had currently completed five D-rank missions, and including this one, two C-rank missions.
Meanwhile, Sasori had already independently completed many C-rank and B-rank missions, and had even participated in an A-rank mission once.
In comparison, Yuji's mission experience seemed very meager.
Sasori had been growing constantly. Ever since the incident with his parents, he rarely returned to the Village... As soon as he finished one mission, he would immediately take another, regardless of the difficulty; he simply wouldn't stay idle.
This was also the reason Sasori was able to team up with Yuji this time.
"I don't need it."
Sasori said indifferently.
His words sounded a bit like he was mocking Yuji.
"Yuji, is this your first time performing such a mission?"
The Third Kazekage asked.
"Yes."
Yuji nodded.
"Arai... you personally escort the two of them." The Third Kazekage looked at his guard.
"Huh?"
The Kage Guard was momentarily stunned but quickly responded, "Yes!"
Sasori naturally didn't need guidance; despite his young age, he was very independent, and the Third Kazekage was well aware of his strength and abilities.
This arrangement was primarily to cultivate Yuji.
"Yuji... who taught you your Medical Ninjutsu?"
Then, the Third Kazekage asked seemingly casually.
"When I was interning at the hospital, I saw someone use it and asked a senior for some advice... although that senior didn't really teach me much, I tried and practiced it on my own in private," Yuji said.
"You researched and practiced it yourself?"
The Third Kazekage confirmed.
"I suppose so..."
Yuji nodded.
Upon hearing this, both the Kazekage and the guard fell silent.
The level of precision in Chakra control required for Medical Ninjutsu was unimaginable... let alone a Genin who had just recently graduated from the Ninja Academy, even a seasoned Chunin would find it difficult to reach the same level without long-term refinement.
Moreover, Yuji didn't even have ninjutsu scrolls; he had only seen others perform it and heard a few simple explanations.
Such comprehension... Sasori also glanced at Yuji's profile, remaining silent.
But instinctively... he smelled a hint of deceit from Yuji.
He was Grandma Chiyo's grandson; likewise, because of his interest in creating Human Puppets, many of his puppet-making techniques and craftsmanship stemmed from an understanding of Medical Ninjutsu, including human anatomy and Chakra-related knowledge.
He knew very well that while the Mystical Palm Technique was one thing, a technique like the Chakra Scalpel—which required maintaining Chakra's sharpness and precision while keeping it concentrated in the hands for a long time without dissipating—was not something one could realize just through observation.
At the very least, one needed guidance and to slowly accumulate experience over time.
Such words were also unlikely to deceive the other two present.
However... a so-called 'genius' is an existence that can break conventional understanding. Yuji's answer essentially attributed everything to his talent as a Medical Ninja.
What ordinary people couldn't do, he could.
This left the Third Kazekage and Guard Arai unsure of how to continue their questioning.
Sasori also chose not to expose Yuji's lie... outsiders likely weren't yet aware that Yuji knew another A-rank Ninjutsu, the Chakra Scalpel.
"This boy's performance at the Ninja Academy was fairly average, but he indeed showed talent in medicine very early on... if he learned it during his hospital internship..." Guard Arai's eyes flickered as he stared at Yuji, the shock in his heart unable to settle for a moment.
Whether it was true or false, Yuji's stance and background were certainly beyond reproach.
Because Yuji's parents were also Ninjas, and they had died in this Ninja World War several years ago.
He was now an orphan.
Furthermore, he even knew Yuji's classroom teacher.
For this meeting, the Third Kazekage had specifically looked up information on the boy.
"The younger generation is to be feared... It seems you have extraordinary comprehension and understanding of Medical Ninjutsu." The Third Kazekage glossed over the matter lightly. "There aren't many Medical Ninjutsu scrolls in the Village... If you're interested, you may borrow them."
"Really? Thank you, Lord Kazekage!"
Yuji feigned an expression of gratitude.
With the system, let alone Sunagakure's limited Ninjutsu resources, even Konoha's S-rank Medical Ninjutsu was within his reach... He only needed to exchange for them to gain mastery, with no need for training at all.
Therefore... he didn't care for the Third Kazekage's promise at all.
But he had to play the part fully; if he appeared not to care at all, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
Then, without further pleasantries, Arai led the two of them away.
This meeting with the Third Kazekage was mainly for him to verbally commend the two of them and give them a small reward.
"This Third Kazekage's style of action is very similar to the later Rasa—swift and resolute... Although he seemingly dispatched a Kage Guard to protect Sasori and me, it's not hard to see from his attitude and words that to the Village, even the most talented juniors... are just tools, devoid of any warmth."
On the way back to the canyon following Arai, Yuji reviewed every detail of the interaction with the Third, thinking to himself.
It was hard to say that Rasa wasn't influenced by the Third Kazekage... after all, for the sake of the Village, Rasa could even turn his own son, Gaara, into a war machine.
This might also be one of the factors behind Sasori's future assassination of the Third Kazekage.
This Village lacked the warmth to make people stay... at least for now.
In the eyes of the higher-ups, everyone was a tool.
Including Pakura, who would be abandoned in the future.
"This won't do... the higher-ups' philosophy has already gone astray."
Yuji narrowed his eyes.
Although Konoha also had 'rat droppings' like Danzo, generally speaking, it still had a bit of human touch.
Becoming a 'genius' in the eyes of others was only the first step of his plan.
To change Sunagakure, the first thing he needed to do was to attract the attention of the higher-ups... because only then would he have the capital to sit at the table and change everything in the future.
Keeping a low profile or developing stealthily... from Yuji's observation, in this current era, that wouldn't work.
"Fortunately, this time I've officially entered the Third Kazekage's sight and caught the attention of the higher-ups... So, next... I'll continuously increase my presence and add weight to my status within the Village."
A thought arose in Yuji's mind; he had a goal.